Miami Marlins

Florida Panthers

MIAMI (CBSMiami/NSF) – The Florida House of Representatives has decided to side with taxpayers in the city of Miami in a dispute over who will pay the property taxes on the new Marlins Park in Little Havana.

In a 98-17 vote, the legislature passed a bill dealing with property taxes that included a provision exempting the Marlins from having to pay property taxes to Miami-Dade County for the new Marlins stadium, according to the News Service of Florida.

If the city of Miami had to pay the county property taxes, it could cost Miami taxpayers $2 million per year.

The tax question came from the original deal the Marlins negotiated with city and county officials; the city was left on the hook for the property taxes on the garage. The Marlins essentially told the city that it was their responsibility and the team wouldn’t contribute to pay for the tax owed to the county.